Acoustic and purifying exhaust muffler



l 3,477,826 ACOUSTIC ANI.) PURIFYING EXHAUST MUFFLER Nov. 1l, 1969 R. H. MOYER ET AL Filed Jan. 28. 1966 p zrwENToR wv /Z/yayer Nv f | N ik ,NN (ww Nw mvww QN NN NN /V \N rv /v UQ, WN NN m Nw mw mk. '1v Nl H mw Nm. wx

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,477,826 ACOUSTIC AND PURIFYING EXHAUST MUFFLER Ralph H. Moyer, 2301 Huckleberry Lane, Abilene, Tex. 79603, and Grady E. Taylor, 4618 Don Juan, Abilene, Tex. 79665 Filed Jan. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 523,769 Int. Cl. B013 9/02; B01d 19/00 U.S. Cl. 23-288 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to exhaust mufiiers for internal combustion engines or the like in general, and, more particularly, to an improved acoustic and purifying mufiier assembly.

The prior art devices are innumerable, none yet having attained the maximum of optimum performance, and the minimum of cost and maintenance. The problem of the automobiles contribution to air pollution is acute, yet no one or number of exhaust control devices is available that is inexpensive and trouble-free so as to gain popularity, yet effective to reduce the amount of air pollutants generated into the atmosphere.

The prior art devices range from the sublime to the exotic, but generally include a chamber, and an arrangement of filter elements therein to entrap the exhaust particles and gasses. These devices have two significant shortcomings. First, the filters must be replaced frequently, as they quickly become clogged with exhaust particles. Secondly, these filters cannot block the passage of exhaust fumes too effectively, as this would create back pressure in the engine exhaust system, thus causing the engine to stall.

The present invention overcomes these two serious disadvantages by providing a muffler assembly whose filters need only be changed every 4,000 to 6,000 miles of vehicle operation, or about every time an oil change is required, said filters requiring only a matter of a few moments for changing, the muier assembly being of the side entry type and including an auxiliary chamber for removing most of the objectionable particles from the exhaust, and a back pressure relief system for preventing the reentry of exhaust fumes and particles into the engine.

Basically, the invention comprises a primary, acoustic muier chamber, including an elongated shell with intake and exhaust ports and a removable, central core with a plurality of filter elements thereon, which also serve as baffles to abate engine noise. A secondary, auxiliary mufiier chamber is mounted on one side of the primary chamber, parallel thereto, and includes an entry port communicating with the primary chamber, an exhaust outlet, also communicating with the primary chamber, medially thereof, and an internal filter packing for absorbing exhaust gasses and materials. A relief line is mounted adjacent the entry port of the auxiliary chamber, and also communicates with the primary chamber to vent the exhaust line of the engine and thus prevent back pressure from forming therein.

Specific details of construction and further objects and 3,477,826 Patented Nov. 1l, 1969 TCC advantages of the invention may be had by reference to the following specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side, elevational View of the invention, and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken along lines 2 2 of FIG. 1.Y

Referring now to the drawings by reference character,l there is shown the invention comprising a primary, acoustic and filtering muiiier assembly 10 and a secondary, filtering assembly 12. Assembly 10 includes an elongated shell 14, an inlet port 16, for receiving hot exhaust gasses from an Vinternal combustion engine or the like (not shown), an exhaust port 18, for releasing the treated ex haust fumes into the atmosphere, andl an internal filter and baie assembly 20. Assembly 20 comprises a central support rod 22, and a plurality of spaced, baie and filter elements 24. Each element 24 is constructed with an external wire mesh skeleton 26 which is packed with hydrocarbon absorbing material 28. Olne element 24a is of reduced thickness for purposes to be explained below, and an end element of disc configuration 24b is provided near exhaust port 18'. A spacer ring 30* separates element 24b and exhaust port 18. Each element 24 and element 24a are in the form of a circle minus a segment, as shown in FIG. 2, so as to impart a swirling motion to the exhaust gasses interiorly of primary muffler 10, thus causing exhaust noise to be diminished and the exhaust fumes to pass around and through filter elements 24, 24a, and 24b, so that the objectionable constituents therein may be removed. The elements 24, 24a, and 24b which comprise the first lter assembly, occupy, preferably, a total volume less than 50% of the volume of shell 14, so that the possibility of back pressure is minimized.

Packing material 28 may be of various materials which have been proven successful in treating internal combustion engine exhaust fumes, by removing objectionable hydrocarbon compounds and carbon monoxide. Preferably, asbestos will be used. Alternatively, alumina, or aluminosilicates could be employed, with or without the addition of minor amounts of metal oxides having catalytic properties.

The forward end of shell 14 is threaded to receive a removable cap 32 having a raised, wrench-engaging portion 34 thereon. A washer 36 is located between cap 32 and the threaded end of shell 14 to seal the end and prevent escape of exhaust fumes.

Secondary muffler assembly 12 includes a second shell 38 of reduced length, an internal filter structure 40, an entry port 42, and an exhaust line 44. As may be seen in FIG. l, shell 38 is mounted in parallel relationship to shell 14. Entry port 42 communicates with shell 14 and is placed co-axially with respect to inlet port 16 so that the direct blast of exhaust fumes from the internal combustion engine is received first by secondary muier assembly 12. Therefore, filter structure 40 fills a greater portion of shell 38 than filter assembly 20` illsshell 14.

v The forward end of shell 38 is also threaded to vreceive a removable cap 54 having a raised, wrench engaging portion 56 thereon. A washer 58 is placed between cap S4 and the threaded end of shell 38 to seal the end and thus prevent any escape of exhaust fumes therethrough.

Filter structure 40 includes an external skeleton 46 and an internal skeleton 48 defining a central core in muflier 12 so that exhaust fumes may be spread evenly throughout filter 40. A bore 50 is formed in a portion of filter 40, adjacent entry port 42 for the introduction of exhaust fumes to the internal core of filter 40. Filter 40 is also packed with material 28. Filter 40, which comprises the second filter assembly, occupies, preferably, a volume greater than 60% of the total volume of shell 38, so as to provide high heat retention in the secondary mufiier assembly thereby assuring optimum exhaust purification.

Exhaust line 44 conducts the partially cleaned exhaust fumes from muier 12 to primary muffler 10 Where the fumes are filtered again and exhaust noise is further reduced before the gasses are released into the atmosphere through exhaust port 18. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that filter element 24a is of reduced thickness in order to provide a clear and unobstructed entry area for exhaust line 44.

It is apparent that any back pressure that might form in the invention will be mostly dissipated by the dual muler assemblies as discussed above. In particular, at least a portion of the exhaust fumes entering through inlet port 16 will pass into primary muffler 10, while the direct exhaust will be received by secondary muffler 12. It is possible that pressures might increase within secondary mufiier 12 so as to cause the exhaust gasses to escape through bore 50 into entry port 42 and eventually to inlet port 16, thus possibly causing the internal combustion engine to sufocate. A back pressure relief line 52 mounted adjacent the junction of entry port 42 and bore 50 and communicating with shell 14 allows any pressure formed within secondary muier 12 to escape into primary mufer before back pressure in the invention rises to critical levels.

As discussed above, filter assemblies 20 and 40 should be replaced at periodical intervals, such as every 4,000 to 6,000 miles of vehicle operation, provided the engine is in good working condition. Of course, if the engine burns oil or otherwise emits a larger quantity of objectionable exhause fumes than normal, the filters will have to be replaced more frequently. Replacing the filter assemblies requires only a few moments, as this is accomplished by merely removing caps 32 and 54 with the aid of a convenient wrench and withdrawing the soiled filter assemblies. New filters may then be inserted and the caps replaced.

The invention may be used with or in place of the muflier or mufiiers already installed on the vehicle. The location of the invention in the exhaust line of the vehicle may be at the rear of the vehicle, or in any suitable place under the vehicle, provided that the caps 32 and 54 are accessible.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have invented a new and highly useful device in the art of acoustic and purifying muliiers, and that various modifications of the invention may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, we are not to be limited to the exact construction as hereinbefore provided, except as may be deemed to be within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

Il. An acoustic and purifying exhaust muffler for an internal combustion engine or the like comprising a first mufer assembly and an auxiliary mufiier assembly, said first muflier assembly comprising an elongated, tubular shell, an inlet port for exhaust fumes emitted from said engine, at the forward end of said shell, on a side thereof, an exhaust port on the remote end thereof, a removable filter assembly within said elongated shell, said auxiliary mufiier assembly comprising a second tubular shell of reduced length, mounted in parallel relationship with said elongated shell, an entry port formed in a side wall of said second shell, and extending to and communicating with said elongated shell, on a side opposite said inlet port, an exhaust line from said second shell to said elongated shell, a second, removable filter assembly within said second shell, first closure means for removal of said first filter from said elongated shell and second closure means for removal of said second filter from said second shell.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first removable filter assembly comprises a central support rod, extending approximately the length of said elongated cylinder, and a plurality of filter elements, each- 0f said elements in the form of a circle minus a segment in cross section.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein one of said plurality of filter elements is in the form of a complete circle, in cross section and is 'located at the end of said rod, adjacent said exhaust port.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said each of said filter elements comprises an external wire mesh skeleton and a plurality of loose catalytic particles within said skeleton, the total volume of said, first filter assembly being less than fifty percent of the total volume of said first shell.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said second, removj able filter assembly comprises an external wire mesh skeleton, an internal wire mesh skeleton, a plurality of loose catalytic particles between said internal and external skeletons, and additional wire mesh means defining a bore from said internal skeleton to said external skeleton, said bore being located approximately co-axially with said entry port.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said internal skeleton forms a central core in said second filter assembly, said core located approximately along the axis ofsaid second shell, and said second filter assembly having a total volurne greater than sixty percent of the total volume of said second shell.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said means for removal of said filters from said shells comprises a cap, threadably received on the forward end of said shell, said cap sealingly engageable with said forward end to prevent escape of said exhaust fumes therethrough, and removable from said forward end to permit withdrawal of a 'filter assembly therefrom.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said second muffler assembly includes a back pressure relief line, mounted adjacent the junction of said entry port and said second shell, and communicating with said elongated shell.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,479 6/ 1929 Bilsky. 1,824,078 9/ 1931 Fischer 23--288 2,038,313 4/1936 Placko.

2,942,932 6/ 1960 Elliott.

3,150,922 9/ 1964 Ashley 23-288 3,162,516 12/1964 Dwyer,

FOREIGN PATENTS 413,967 7/ 1934 .Great Britain.

JOSEPH SCOVRONEK, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 

